sunnycalifRN

sunnycalifRN

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All Content by sunnycalifRN

  1. advice for externship

    sunnycalifRN replied to gydget's topic in MICU, SICU

    I think that ACLS certification as well as a basic and/or advanced EKG interpretation course might be helpful. Also, any inside contacts, such as friends/relatives or prior grads from your program...

  2. How far do you drive for work?

    sunnycalifRN replied to CNM2B201?'s topic in General Nursing

    My drive is 7.5 miles, about 10

  3. Precedex

    sunnycalifRN replied to Stlcardsrock's topic in CCU, Coronary, Cardiac

    We've been using it for 2-3 yrs on CABG's and valve repairs when the patient goes wild off sedation; it doesn't always work, as with any drug . . . but for many patients, we're able to extubate with...

  4. Accepted into NS and scared!

    sunnycalifRN replied to HippieGypsyGirl's topic in General Students

    Yes, it is probably the most common fear. If you didn't have this fear, you probably would be a dangerous nurse. In nursing school, you will be taught the correct way to do things. By following the...

  5. Checking air-bolus on NGT post Esophagectomy.

    sunnycalifRN replied to sockov's topic in MICU, SICU

    In the ICU I work in, the NGT is placed in the OR and sutured in place. Additionally, we usually have specific orders not to manipulate the tube and what suction settings to use, etc. So. bottom...

  6. You Guys Are Making Me Worry.

    sunnycalifRN replied to bella_autore's topic in General Nursing

    Lisa, congratulations on getting into the community college program. Don't worry about what some people say about the ADN degree versus the BSN . . . I'm an RN with the ADN degree and have been...

  7. Every now and then I'm reminded...

    sunnycalifRN replied to Mike A. Fungin RN's topic in General Nursing

    You are so right that those few words of thanks from the family or patient, can make a horrible shift, more bearable. I've had many shifts similar to what you described . . . just running the entire...

  8. What kind of holiday bonus do you get?

    sunnycalifRN replied to cbcle's topic in General Nursing

    Holiday bonus? What's that? I get to work on Christmas, is that a

  9. High contact sports and nursing?

    sunnycalifRN replied to mochamonster's topic in General Nursing

    I agree. When you walk out of the hospital, you're on your own time. What you do during your time off is your business. We've got RN's who do triathlons, marathons, surf and ride motorycycles...

  10. *Vent* RN's make toast?!?!?!

    sunnycalifRN replied to WickedRedRN's topic in General Nursing

    Oh, and don't forget, fetching the morning paper and walking their

  11. Help im having IV problems

    sunnycalifRN replied to gropos01's topic in General Nursing

    this is good advice! just advance 1/16 on a inch, after getting the initial flash, then you should be able to advance the cath. if you advance too much further, you risk going through the other vein...

  12. IV starts in nursing school

    sunnycalifRN posted a topic in General Nursing

    When you were in nursing school and you were taught IV insertion, were you allowed to start them on each other? In our nursing program, it was absolutely forbidden . . . something to do with...

  13. IV starts in nursing school

    sunnycalifRN replied to sunnycalifRN's topic in General Nursing

    Yes! As I said in an earlier post, I practiced at home with my study partner and we each successfully placed 2 IV's on each other. However, we were very careful never to mention anything about it to...

  14. IV starts in nursing school

    sunnycalifRN replied to sunnycalifRN's topic in General Nursing

    I agree. Even though those first attempts can be pretty ugly, I'd rather have it be a cooperative classmate or friend, rather than an angry

  15. IV starts in nursing school

    sunnycalifRN replied to sunnycalifRN's topic in General Nursing

    When we've had a new grad RN in the unit, I've often volunteered my arm for them to practice an IV start (note, I said, arm . . . no back of hand, please . . . not for a newbie). However, some of the...

  16. IV starts in nursing school

    sunnycalifRN replied to sunnycalifRN's topic in General Nursing

    My study partner and I practiced on each other at home . . . we both had great veins! However, we only did two IV starts each . . . after that we thought we were "pro's" . . . hahaha, little did we...

  17. IV starts in nursing school

    sunnycalifRN replied to sunnycalifRN's topic in General Nursing

    Oh . . . that

  18. Do you think Patients would confuse me for a doctor if I'm South Asian and male?

    sunnycalifRN replied to Samian Q's topic in General Nursing

    Yes, you are so right. I get called "doc" all the time by "old codgers". And, our female surgeons who are wearing scrubs are often called nurse. And, pretty much everyone wearing the full length...

  19. Shaky hands and IV starts?!

    sunnycalifRN replied to wbrogers's topic in General Nursing

    OP, don't worry . . . as others have said, the "shakes" are most likely just "nerves" . . . it happened to me, too. On my second IV start on a patient, I had a woman who was kind of "high strung"...

  20. Followed MD Order--Now Do I Look Incompetent?

    sunnycalifRN replied to LaurenBoog's topic in General Nursing

    I agree completely. The stepdown unit where I work is always kvetching about "difficult" patients that we send them. To the OP, you went out of your way to present your concerns to the doc and...

  21. What are some good white mens shoes for nursing?

    sunnycalifRN replied to SexyAmy's topic in Scrubs, Uniforms, Gear

    Rockport walking shoes come in all-white. Very comfortable for those long days on your

  22. Do I have what it takes? Am I cut out for nursing?

    sunnycalifRN replied to Kenrb27's topic in General Nursing

    As others have said, I think that most of us asked ourselves the same question prior to getting into nursing. You can partially answer your question by working with nurses as a CNA or tech. Another...

  23. What are you using for sedation?

    sunnycalifRN replied to kgriffiRN's topic in MICU, SICU

    Precedex (dexmedetomidine) is great for the patients that get very agitated when the sedation is off; the nice thing about dex is that it doesn't suppress the respiratory drive and you can extubate...

  24. dealing with confused patients

    sunnycalifRN replied to sprintin08's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    It depends on the cause of the "confusion". If it's "garden-variety" sundown'ing, then I would usually try to re-orient the patient. However, if it's Alzheimer's or schizophrenia, then the RN's...

  25. What are you using for sedation?

    sunnycalifRN replied to kgriffiRN's topic in MICU, SICU

    We seldom use diprivan because of the nationwide shortage, and the frequent hypotension. Good old fentanyl and versed is our mainstay for sedation. We use dex with patients that don't wake up...